The keygen element was initially introduced by Netscape and later accepted by other browsers. The keygen element is intended to provide a safer way to authenticate users; that is done in that manner that the <keygen> generates a public-private key-pair field in a form. When a form gets submitted, a public key and a private key are generated; the private key gets stored on the client side (local PC), and the public key gets sent to the server. Thus created, this key-pair combination may be used with secure servers to generate certificates or similar, increasing an overall security of our systems.

Syntax:

<input type="text" name="username" />

<keygen name="secure-key" />

Attributes:

  • name - Specifies the name of the <keygen> element.
  • keytype - Specifies which security algorithm will be used. Following values are accepted:
    • rsa
    • dca
    • es
  • autofocus - Tells browser whether the <keygen> element will get an automatic focus after page loads, or not; the value is autocomplete.
  • form - Specifies form or forms that the <keygen> element belongs too; the value is form_id.
  • challenge - Defines the <keygen> as "to be challenged" when submitted.
  • disabled - A standard disabled value that most of the form element have; it disables the <keygen> element.
  • global attributes
  • event attributes

Example

The keygen element usage example:

​x
 
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style type="text/css">
p {margin: 10px 5px; padding:5px;}
</style>
</head>
<body>
​
<form action="../../../img/tutorials/keygen_example.php" method="get" enctype="multipart/form-data">
  <p>Enter a number: <input type="number" name="inp"></p>
  <p>Encryption: <keygen name="sec"></p>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
    
​
</body>
</html>

 

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